How to get used to going for a run: 10 useful tips

Healthy habits related to sport and exercise are available to anyone; it is a matter of proposing to introduce these changes in the routine and find that physical activity that best suits our tastes.

In this article we will see how to get used to going out for a run, exercise routine that can improve our quality of life significantly. We will review some of the benefits of this activity, and we will also share ways to make it a habit.

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What benefits do I get when I go for a run?

Physical exercise is essential to maintain good health. All of us are a combination of mental and physical aspects, so it is necessary to stay active and avoid sedentary lifestyle.

How to get used to going out for a run is a frequent question among many people who intend to start this activity but cannot find the right way. It is not enough just to have the intention to do it, you need a method that helps you commit to this exercise routine.

The benefits of going for a run go through the fact of experiencing a considerable improvement in breathing capacity, in the joint and muscle health, plus the ability to interact with other people who also have the same hobby.

Next we will see in a concrete way what are the main benefits of going for a run outdoors.

• Cholesterol control.
• Helps lose weight without losing muscle mass.
• Prevention of osteoporosis.
• Strengthens and tones the leg muscles.
• Improves blood rhythm.
• Helps fight stress and improves mood.

How to get used to going for a run and make it a habit

In the next few lines we will see how we can get into the habit of going out for a run. finding the right methods and motivation.

1. Choose the right clothes

The process of choosing the right clothes for your run is a bigger factor than it sounds. And is that when we feel comfortable with the outfit we wear we feel more like doing any activityeven if we don't realize it. If the clothing is for a specific activity and is adapted to the specific needs of this type of exercise, it represents an extra incentive to take action.

2. Better the morning schedule

The schedule can be adapted depending on the particular calendar of each person, but It is recommended that we go for a run in the morning, given that in this phase of the day our body is more activated to get through the rest of the day. This helps us to perform more and take longer to get tired, with the consequent reinforcement of our motivation. Indirectly, it helps us to commit to the habit of going for a run.

3. Eat well

If we intend to make running a recurring activity in our lives, we must incorporate other healthy habits into our lifestyle that allow us to maintain it. Eating well is one of the most important.

When we have a good diet, balanced between macronutrients and vitamins, our body has the energy sources necessary to carry out physical activities without suffering wear and tear.

4. Stretch at home

Stretching is essential to start any physical activity avoiding injuries. When we plan to start running often, we can start by stretching before running. In this way we are sending a message to our brain that physical activity is going to start, and the chances that we end up being very sore will be reduced.

5. Take a medical check

If we are going to get used to going out for a run, we should also plan to start a check-up with a doctor. Going through a check-up every so often is a good way to check if our health has improved since we started this stage of training, or if complications have arisen. The former also helps motivate us to go running more times.

6. Remember the warm-up

Stretching is not the same as warming up; Stretching consists of moving the muscles in such a way that they stretch, emphasizing the area that we are going to work. The warm-up, on the other hand, is based on doing physical activities with little intensity so that our body assimilates what is coming.

Ideally, do a static jogging session at home before going for a jog outside, for about 10 minutes, and then start the race with a moderate intensity so that the first few minutes serve as a warm-up for the race.

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7. Find your own rhythm

Avoid trying to copy other people's rhythm or routine, focus on yourself. If at the beginning you only endure a few minutes of running before having to stop to rest, don't be discouraged by that circumstance, you will gradually gain resistance. You simply have to be constant in the process; don't let the lack of habit at the beginning discourage you; soon you will see changes for the better.

8. Set a specific schedule and stick with it

In order for you to become a habit of anything, it is necessary to perform the activity a minimum of times, approximately for 25 days. Therefore, keep in mind that before you go out for a run, you feel like something natural, you will have to go through a habit-building process for a few days.

At this stage you have to get used to committing to the task, and later it will not take so much effort to motivate yourself. To make things easier, set a schedule in advance; one that is realistic and fits in with your weekly activities.

Something that helps a lot to achieve appropriate habits is what are known as action triggers.. They consist of taking into account space-time references as a signal that you must automatically perform a certain task. For example: "When I have returned from work and I am in the hall at home, I will put on my sports clothes and go out again."

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9. Go for a group run

Finding a group of people who have the same motivation as us is a way to encourage the creation of a habit of this type.

We are gregarious beings and we enjoy doing things more when we have someone to share experiences with. In addition, seeing the progress of others motivates us to continue, being inspired by their example. In this way, you will be creating a context of sports activity in which the risk of you throwing in the towel will be minimized.

10. Get over excuses

It is common that before starting a new activity we experience a series of limiting and involuntary thoughts, which are They present along with certain excuses made by ourselves and that generally prevent us from starting our outings to to run.

Keep in mind that these thoughts only exist to give you excuses that allow you to stay in your comfort zone. The ideal is to understand that these are unconscious aspects of our person that they have no real control over us, unless we allow it.